Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Brucellosis – USA (07): (WY) bovine
Brucellosis -- United StatesWyoming state veterinarian, Dr Jim Logan, has been notified by the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory and the National Veterinary Services Laboratory there is another new case of brucellosis in a cattle herd in Wyoming -- this time in Sublette county, which is in the Wyoming Brucellosis Designated Surveillance Area (DSA). Serologic testing at both laboratories has shown reactor level results on 2 animals from 1 herd. Further testing, including bacterial culture, will Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Listeriosis – USA (03): ready-to-eat pork patties, WGS, recall
Listeriosis -- United StatesReported cases: 4States: 4Hospitalizations: 4Deaths: 0Recall: YesCha Chien Fried Pork PattyRecall------- On [Tue 20 Nov 2018], 165368 C. Corporation, doing business as Long Phung Food Products in Houston, TX recalled ready-to-eat pork products because they might be contaminated with _Listeria_.- Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled products from Long Phung Food Products.The full list of recalled ready-to-eat pork patty rolls is on the USDA-FSIS website [].- Recalled Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Bluetongue – Turkey: (AA) ovine, st 8 & 4, OIE
Bluetongue -- TurkeyInformation received [and dated] on 20 Nov 2018 from Dr Nihat Pakdil, Deputy Undersecretary of Ministry, Veterinary Services, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Ankara, TurkeySummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 17 Sep 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 19 Nov 2018Report date: 20 Nov 2018Date submitted to OIE: 20 Nov 2018Reason for notification: New strain of a listed disease in the countryCausal agent: Bluetongue Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Kyrgyzstan (05): (DA) bovine, human susp
Anthrax -- KyrgyzstanKyrTAG [Kyrgyzstan Telegraph Agency] reports 2 people have been hospitalized in the Jalal-Abad region with anthrax assumption. "2 inhabitants of Suzak district have been hospitalized with anthrax assumption. The lab tests made in Jalal-Abad have shown a negative result, we sent the analysis to Osh for a repeated research," said Usen Zhorobayev, head of center of state sanitary-epidemiological surveillance of the Suzak district. In his words, the hospitalized men had been butchering Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Malaria, autochthonous P. vivax – Greece
Malaria -- GreeceGreek health officials have reported 9 autochthonous non-_Plasmodium falciparum_ malaria cases since August [2018].Case investigation of the 9 introduced cases (8 _P. vivax_ and one non-_P. falciparum_) showed:- 1 _P. vivax_ case with probable exposure at the municipal unit of Tichero, municipality of Soufli, regional unit (RU) of Evros, with onset of symptoms the week of 20-26 Aug 2018;- 1 _P. vivax_ case with probable exposure at the municipal unit of Feres, municipality of Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Pertussis (10): USA, Canada
Whooping Cough -- United StatesKatie Nelson from Mesa County Public Health stopped by the KREX 5 News Studios to tell us about the vaccinations that can prevent pertussis, also known as whooping cough. Last year [2017], there were 46 cases of whooping cough, and this year there have already been 13.Mesa County Public Health offers DTaP [diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis] and Tdap [booster] immunizations and accepts all major health insurance plans. They do have programs for those without insurance, Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (58): (NM)
Hepatitis A -- United StatesWe saw it in California -- a public health emergency because of a hepatitis A outbreak. Now, the highly contagious illness usually spread by poor hygiene is here in Albuquerque. "It is highly contagious and it can be through handling of food or water," said Dennis Plumer with Heading Home.Albuquerque shelters are on alert as the state Department of Health (DOH) issued a hepatitis A outbreak -- an illness primarily impacting the homeless first."It's flu-like symptoms that Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Bovine tuberculosis – Canada (02): (BC) bovine
Bovine TB -- CanadaThe Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced 19 Nov 2018 it has launched an investigation into a case of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in British Columbia.Bovine TB is a reportable disease in Canada and has been subject to a mandatory national eradication program since 1923, CFIA said. While Canada is considered to be officially free of bovine TB, isolated cases may occur. There is no risk to the food supply or to human health from this case, the agency said.CFIA explained on Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Asia (31): China (SH,SC) domestic swine, spread, OIE
African Swine Fever -- ChinaInformation received on 19 Nov 2018 from Dr Zhang Zhongqui, Director General, China Animal Disease Control Centre, Veterinary Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, China (People's Rep. of)SummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 15 Nov 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 17 Nov 2018Report date: 17 Nov 2018Date submitted to OIE: 19 Nov 2018Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: clinical Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (137): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, summary, response
Ebola -- DR CongoVaccinationSince the beginning of vaccination on 8 Aug 2018, 32 626 people have been vaccinated, including 16 210 in Beni.--Communicated by:ProMED-mail Rapporteurs Mary Marshall and Kunihiko Iizuka[The report includes a video in French describing the vaccination procedure followed in the villages.The cases hold another day at 373, although more than 70 are under investigation. In addition, there is 1 new death reported. - Mod LK]Mon 19 Nov 2018. Epidemiological situation Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – USA (28): O157, romaine lettuce
E. coli -- United StatesCDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, Canada, and the FDA are investigating a multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing _Escherichia coli_ O157:H7 (_E. coli_ O157:H7) infections.Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. PulseNet is the national subtyping network of public health and food regulatory agency laboratories coordinated by CDC. DNA fingerprinting is performed on _E. Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Adenovirus – USA (04): (NJ) case numbers, update
Adenovirus -- United StatesAn 11th child has died in connection with an adenovirus outbreak at a health care facility in New Jersey that has sickened 23 others, state health officials said on Friday [16 Nov 2018].The child was a resident of the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Haskell, roughly 30 miles [48.3 km] west of Manhattan, where a new adenovirus case was confirmed on Thursday [15 Nov 2018] night, the New Jersey Department of Health announced.All of the children associated Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Chronic wasting disease, cervid – USA (19): (MT)
Chronic Wasting Disease -- United StatesTest results from 3 deer harvested in Blaine County have tested positive for chronic wasting disease.The deer were harvested within the 2018 priority surveillance area, which includes the northern half of Blaine County. As a result, the northern part of Blaine County -- north of U.S. Highway 2 -- has been designated a CWD-positive area. A previously existing CWD-positive area includes all of Liberty County. FWP [Fish, Wildlife, and Parks] has notified the hunters Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Australia (07): (VI) ovine
Anthrax -- AustraliaAgriculture officials in Victoria, Australia reported responding to positive identification of anthrax in a sheep on a property near Swan Hill over the weekend [17-18 Nov 2018]. Victoria's Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Charles Milne, said the affected property had now been quarantined and appropriate biosecurity protections were in place.Dr. Milne said it was not unusual for incidents of anthrax to be detected in cattle and sheep in the region, with several farms in the Swan Hill Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis E – Bangladesh (02): (CG)
Hepatitis E -- Bangladesh[HEV is hepatitis E virus, which causes one of the 5 known viral hepatitis]. HEV spreads usually through fecal contamination of drinking water.At least 4 people lost their lives due to HEV infection in the last few months and thousands have been infected by HEV in a large part of Chittagong city. This water-borne epidemic has challenged the capacity of supplying safe drinking water and maintaining sewerage system there, which is the second most important metropolis of Bangladesh Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Banana bunchy top virus – South Africa: (NL)
Other Plant Disease -- South AfricaSouth Africa's banana growing and export industry is at risk following the discovery of Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) in Kwazulu-Natal's [KZN] Ugu district. Subsistence farmers are hit the hardest with their livelihoods at risk. The disease has already wiped out a 160 ha [about 395 acres] commercial farm on which the outbreak was first identified after the farmer had to uproot and destroy every single plant to curb spread of the virus. Banana plants surrounding Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Greening disease, citrus – Thailand: antibiotic use
Other Plant Disease -- ThailandA recent report highlighted the apparent long-standing use of amoxicillin injection into orange trees 3 to 4 times a year to treat Citrus greening disease, caused by bacteria spread by psyllid insects. Amoxicillin -- reportedly used widely in northern and central orange orchards -- could lead to drug resistance or even fatal allergies in humans as well as contaminating the environment, especially water sources.[A pharmacist] said his colleagues had identified the issue Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Norovirus – USA (06): (CA)
Norovirus -- United StatesNorovirus, which is sometimes called stomach flu or a stomach bug, is "a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea," according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It leads to 19 to 21 million cases of acute gastroenteritis in the United States every year.The commonest symptoms are stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Fever, headache and body aches can also be signs of norovirus.CDC says that symptoms usually develop 12-48 hours after Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (57): (PA,WV)
Hepatitis A -- United StatesNumber of cases 1859Demographics Age range 12-86 Median age 37 Male 1119 (60.2%) Hospitalizations 960 (51.6%) Deaths 5Risk factorsCo-infection with hepatitis C (information available for 1452 cases) 852 (58.7%) Co-infection with hepatitis B (information available for 1452 cases) 158 (10.4%) Reports illicit drug use (information available for 1589 cases) 1178 (74.1%) Homeless 202 (10.9%) --communicated by:ProMED-mail[HealthMap/ProMED-mail map of West Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (136): Congo DR (NK,IT) cases, response
Ebola -- DR CongoSecurity - Contrary to what has been reported in some international media, the Ministry of Health has not suspended the Ebola response. Following the attack of a MONUSCO [Mission de l'Organisation des Nations Unies pour la stabilisation en République démocratique du Congo] base in the Boikene district, Ruwenzori commune, in the city of Beni, by an armed group on the evening of Fri 16 Nov 2018, the field activities in Beni did not take place normally at the beginning Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Foot & mouth disease – Nigeria: (YO) ex Cameroon and Chad, bovine, camel susp
Foot and Mouth -- NigeriaStrange case of foot and mouth disease [FMD] ravaging animals in different parts of Yobe State is scaring livestock farmers in the state. Cases of the disease were said to have been found in communities in Jakusko, Fune, Nangere, Tarmuwa, Potiskum, Damaturu, Fika and Gulani local government areas of the state.Breeders from the affected areas told the Daily Trust that the scourge manifested shortly after the rainy season and that it had so far claimed many animals. The chairman Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hepatitis E – China (02): (HK) human, rat virus, 1st and 2nd reps
Hepatitis E -- ChinaSiddharth Sridhar, Cyril C.Y. Yip, Shusheng Wu, et al. Rat hepatitis E virus as cause of persistent hepatitis after liver transplant. Emerg Infect Dis. Dec 2018; 24(12)Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infects 20 million humans worldwide annually (1). HEV-infected persons usually have self-limiting acute hepatitis. However, persistent hepatitis can occur in HEV-infected immunocompromised patients who acquire infection by eating undercooked pork, rabbit, deer, camel, or boar meat (2-6). Read more [...]
PRO> Smoke inhalation – USA: (CA) wildfire, alert
Respiratory Illness -- United StatesThe wildfires that have laid waste to vast parts of California are presenting residents with a new danger: air so thick with smoke it ranks among the dirtiest in the world. In the communities closest to the Paradise fire, a smoky fog cloaked the roads, evacuees wandered in white masks and officials said respiratory hospitalizations had surged. Nearly 200 miles [about 320 km] to the south, in San Francisco, the smoke was so thick health warnings prompted widespread Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Foot & mouth disease – Russia (03): (SR) precautionary vaccine, RFI
Foot and Mouth -- RussiaIn the Saratov region, veterinary activities worth 4.1 million rubles [USD 62 127] have been applied in agricultural and domestic animals.In areas bordering with Kazakhstan, vaccination against foot and mouth disease [FMD] is being carried out; 383 500 head of cattle and small ruminants have been vaccinated.According to the information from the Saratov veterinary department, 1.2 million vaccinations were given against anthrax, and 467 600 against nodular dermatitis [lumpy Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Reading – USA (04): raw turkey products, recall
Salmonella -- United StatesEditor's note: FSIS [United States Department of Agrticulture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service] and our public health partners, including CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] and state public health officials, are investigating a _Salmonella [enterica_ serotype] Reading outbreak. Please note that FSIS is continuing to investigate illnesses associated with this widespread outbreak, and additional product from other companies may also be recalled. Salmonella Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Newport – USA (05): ground beef, alert, recall
Salmonella -- United StatesThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning about more cases of salmonella-tainted beef from an Arizona company. There have now been 66 cases in California and 246 nationwide linked to JBS Tolleson. The company recalled nearly 7 million pounds of beef products in early October 2018.A total of 59 people have been hospitalized. None have died. The beef was packaged from [26 Jul to 7 Sep 2018] and sold with establishment number "EST 267".--communicated by:ProMED-mail Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Syphilis – Australia (03): (SA) increasing, congenital, indigenous people
Syphilis -- Australia- A syphilis outbreak has spread to Adelaide [capital of the Australian state of South Australia/SA].- There have been 64 cases reported in SA, including an infant, since 2016.- An outbreak of the disease started in Queensland in early 2011.SA Health issued an alert to medical practitioners, advising the syphilis outbreak had formally been extended to Adelaide after previously being in place in the state's Far North, Eyre Peninsula, and western regions. [See ProMED-mail. Syphilis Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Europe (61): Belgium (LX) wild boar, scientific advice
African Swine Fever -- Belgium1. Terms of referenceFollowing introduction of African swine fever virus (ASFv) in wildlife (wild boars) in the province of Luxembourg (Belgium) the Scientific Committee has been asked to give rapid advice- on the risk of geographic spreading of ASFv in wildlife (wild boars);- on the risk of introduction and spread of ASFv in Belgian pig farms;- and to assess the efficiency of measures that have been taken to prevent the risk of spreading of ASFv in wildlife and the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (56): Americas (Costa Rica, Colombia) bat, human, equine, bovine
Rabies -- Costa RicaA 43 year old biologist infected with the rabies virus died on Wed 14 Nov 2018 the Ministry of Health has confirmed. His admission to the medical center occurred 2 months after the biologist entered a cave during a family outing on 15 Aug 2018 in Copey de Dota and had contact with bats, suffering a bite on one of his arms. He began to manifest symptoms [numbness and paralysis, difficulties swallowing, and behavioral disorders] on 11 Oct 2018, when he finally decided to obtain Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Zambia (06): (MU) hippopotamus, susp
Anthrax -- ZambiaHippos in Luangwa River in Chama district in Muchinga Province are reportedly dying from suspected anthrax disease. Confirming the development to ZANIS, Chama district commissioner Leonard Ngoma said a team from the University of Zambia (UNZA) has since visited the affected areas to collect samples for testing.Mr Ngoma said results from the samples taken are yet to be released to confirm whether or not the hippos are dying from suspected anthrax or whether it is because of overpopulation. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Namibia (04): (KU) livestock, human
Anthrax -- NamibiaThirteen human anthrax cases were recorded at Sesfontein in the Kunene Region after 35 residents consumed the meat of livestock which died of unknown disease. No deaths have been reported, and the disease has since been contained says Health and Social Services permanent secretary, Ben Nangombe.In a joint statement signed by both the Ministry of Health and Social Services and that of Agriculture, a total of 92 small stock died from the outbreak in Sesfontein, while 23 buffalo died Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tularemia – Germany: (BY) rabbit hunters
Tularemia -- GermanyIn Bavaria, 9 hunters apparently have been infected with the causative agent of rabbit fever. According to information from the district administrative office in Swan village, the men had, on 27 Oct 2018, shot 8 eight rabbits and eviscerated and packed them. Eight of the men have been hospitalized since 4 Nov 2018 at the Amberg hospital, the district office spokesman Hans Prechtl confirmed. The 9th hunter was admitted 5 days later.Tularemia (rabbit fever) is caused by the bacterium Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Varicella update (16): USA (NC)
Chicken Pox -- United StatesA chickenpox outbreak at a private school now ranks as North Carolina's largest since a vaccine for the virus became available more than 20 years ago, health officials say. As of Fri 16 Nov 2018, 36 students at Asheville Waldorf School had contracted the varicella virus, known to most as chickenpox. The school has one of the highest vaccination religious exemption rates in the state."People don't think it's a serious disease, and for the majority of people it's not. But Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (135): Congo DR (NK,IT) cases, security
Ebola -- DR CongoSecurity- On the evening of Fri 16 Nov 2018, an armed group made an incursion into Boikene neighborhood, Rwenzori commune, in the city of Beni, with the intention of attacking one of the bases of MONUSCO [Mission de l'Organisation des Nations Unies pour la stabilisation en République démocratique du Congo]. The peacekeepers reacted immediately, pushing the rebel group back after several hours of clashes, a few meters from the Ebola Response Emergency Operations Center Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Infant botulism – USA (03): (TX) honey pacifiers
Botulism -- United States1. Underwood K, Rubin S, Deaker T, Newth C. Infant botulism: A 30-year experience spanning the introduction of botulism immune globulin intravenous in the intensive care Unit at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Pediatrics 2007; 120(6): e1380-5; available at .2. Pifko E, Price A, Sterner S. Infant botulism and indications for administration of botulism immune globulin. Pediatric Emerg Care. 2014; 30(2): 120-4; quiz 125-7. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000000079; abstract available Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Classical swine fever – Japan (07): (GF) spread, wild, domestic
Classical Swine Fever -- JapanA 2nd case of [classical] swine fever [CSF] was detected in Gifu Prefecture on Fri [16 Nov 2018] at a park, after the nation's 1st case in decades was reported in September [2018] at a nearby pig farm. The Gifu Prefectural Government culled all 21 pigs kept at the Chikusan Center Park (Livestock Center Park) after confirming earlier in the morning through tests that 2 of them were infected with what is also known as hog cholera. The virus affects only pigs and wild boars Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Asia (30): China (JL) wild boar, regional impact
African Swine Fever -- ChinaThe discovery of African swine fever (ASF) in wild boar has created a large intricate loophole in China's prevention program of the epizootic. The 1st case was discovered in Jilin province in a dead wild boar. Experts say that if a large-scale killing of infected wild boar is applied, it will lead to wild boars fleeing to neighboring regions, causing ASF to spread to North Korea, which borders Jilin. The wild boar death occurred at the junction of Changbai Mountain and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (134): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, challenges
Ebola -- DR Congo- An additional 7 probable cases have been validated in Kalunguta.News of the response--------------------The National Association of Ebola Winners (ANVE)- The local committee of the ANVE of Beni was installed this Thu 15 Nov 2018; 2 doctors who were cured of Ebola were elected president and vice-president of the Beni affiliation by the other members.Vaccination------------ Closure of targeted geographic vaccination in Kanihunga Village, Kalunguta Health Zone. Targeted Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Europe (60): Ukraine, domestic, wild boar, OIE
African Swine Fever -- UkraineRovno: event started 4 Sep 2015. 30 outbreaks (submitted) reported to date (Fri 16 Nov 2018). The event is still continuing with the last follow-up report provided on 17 Oct 2018.Total animals affected:Species / Susceptible / Cases / Deaths / Killed and disposed of / SlaughteredSwine / 728 / 63 / 62 / 666 / 0Wild boar: _Sus scrofa_ (Suidae) / - / 17 / 4 / 13 / 0--communicated by:ProMED-mail******[2] Kiev: domestic swineDate: Fri 16 Nov 2018Source: OIE, WAHIS Read more [...]
